Test Cricket is a funny game and lives up to its billing pretty well on most occasions. It throws unexpected twists and turns along the way and sometimes put competing teams in some really sticky problems. In the recently concluded Ranchi Test, we witnessed India and Australia bat it out neck to neck and eventually settle for a draw.

The game, for the first three days, appeared to be heading towards a draw. However, on the fourth and the final day, the scenario began to change and suddenly India was pressing for a victory and Australia despite putting over 450 runs in the first innings were left to save the Test in the final two sessions of the match with six wickets in hands.

The Indian spinners looked threatening and many felt that it was only a matter of time before the floodgates opened and Australia would collapse. However, one huge roadblock stood in the way for India – Peter Handscomb. The right-hander played a superb knock of 72 to avert an innings defeat and save the match. This valiant effort that lasted 200 balls reminds us of a few more similar knocks that were played in the past in match-saving efforts.

Let’s take a look at five rear-guard innings of all time in Test cricket: